St. Nicholas

Overview

Exploring a life and a legend, George McKnight’s St. Nicholas is a fascinating account of St. Nicholas the Wonder-Worker and his role in Christmas customs around the world. “St. Nicholas was mortal,” McKnight notes, “But his deeds are immortal. His beneficent acts have flowered in legendary story and have found fruition in universal popular customs animated by the same spirit of kindness that pervaded the whole life of the saint.”

Discover how these stories of the fourth-century Greek bishop have manifested in Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Pelznickel, Boy Bishops, and other popular Christmas customs across the centuries. McKnight’s warmly accessible text, complete with numerous illustrations, gathers together the elements of St. Nicholas’ life, and traces the legends and customs connected with the saint. Learn how the man and the myths mingle and gain deeper understanding of both with this classic book.

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Key Features

Explores the life and legend of St. Nicholas

Looks at his role in popular customs around the world

Includes numerous classic illustrations

Contents

Preface

St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, and Kris Kringle

Biography and Legend

The Boy St. Nicholas and St. Nicholas the Patron Saint of Schoolboys

St. Nicholas and the Dowerless Maidens

The Boy Bishop, or Nicholas Bishop

Varied Beneficent Activity

St. Nicholas Plays

St. Nicholas as Patron Saint

Pagan Heritage of St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas, Defender of the Faith

Conclusion

Notes

Product Details

Title: St. Nicholas: His Legend and His Role in the Christmas Celebration and Other Popular Customs

About George Harley McKnight

George Harley McKnight (1871–1951) was professor of English at Ohio State University. He also wrote English Words and Their Backgrounds, The Evolution of the English Language: From Chaucer to the Twentieth Century, The Primitive Teutonic Order of Words, and edited Middle English Humorous Tales in Verse.